5 Ways to Win at Blackjack

There are several ways to win at blackjack. Some of them are more effective than others, and you should use them based on your own circumstances. For example, if you have two 8’s, you should split them. This will increase your chances of winning and reduce the risk of busting. Moreover, splitting two 8’s will help you get into the high value range of 18 to 21.

Basic strategy

The basic blackjack strategy is a set of mathematically calculated decisions that can reduce the house edge and help you win more games. If you are a beginner, you may not know where to start. However, you can use the Blackjack Basic Strategy Engine to learn profitable decisions quickly and easily. The engine can even help you select the most popular games.

The basic blackjack strategy chart can also help you determine the best decisions to make once everyone has been dealt their cards. For example, a good decision is to split if the dealer has a weak hand. Another example is to split if the player has an equal pair in his hand.

Doubling down

Doubling down in blackjack is a great way to increase your chances of winning. The rules vary from casino to casino, but generally you’ll have to bet the same amount you initially bet. To double down, you need to have at least one card higher than the dealer’s card. Then, you’ll have to add one more card to get the total.

While it can be tempting to double down, it’s important to understand the risk involved. You don’t want to double down if the dealer has a ten, since he or she can bust. You also don’t want to double down when the dealer’s hand is an ace, since this is a good sign that you’re ahead.

Insurance

Insurance is a popular way to protect your bet against blackjack, but it can be a risky move. It is not recommended for everyone. It is best to use it only when you are confident that you have a high chance of winning. The odds of winning are higher than your starting balance. It is also possible to lose an Insurance bet if the dealer has a natural blackjack.

Blackjack insurance pays two-to-one odds when the dealer has blackjack, but the payout is not very high. It is not recommended for everyone, but it is a good option in some situations.

Hitting on soft 17

Hitting on soft 17 in blackjack is a way to increase your odds of winning a blackjack hand. A soft 17 is the result of an Ace and Six forming a pair that totals seven or less. In double deck games, you can also hit if your opponent’s upcard is an ace or an eight. Moreover, hitting on a soft 17 makes the casino more likely to bust, resulting in a larger house edge. However, the increased probability of winning on a soft 17 hand more than makes up for the higher percentage of busts.

Hitting on soft 17 in blackjack requires you to know the basic blackjack strategy. It is a good idea to double down on a soft 17 only if the dealer’s hand contains two or more tens. However, it is not recommended to double down when the dealer is holding an ace.

Card counting

Card counting is a strategy in blackjack that is popular among professional players. It is not illegal, but it is not recommended by casinos. The casino may ban a card counter based on their behavior. The casino may also change the rules of the game. This method can be a disadvantage for many players.

Card counting involves keeping track of cards that have high and low values. This is done in order to minimize the house edge. By counting cards, you can make better decisions and minimize your losses.